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Post by Theobald on Jan 7, 2006 12:04:32 GMT
From some of the entries on this board I learned that there is interest in building up a database of all Mithril Miniatures, including those figures by Chris Tubb that were never released by Mithril. As I am interested in such a project, too, I start this thread trying to contribute to this idea. As far as I know Gildor is working at such a project. So did I, some years ago. From some entries here I can read that Michael and Chis are also interested in the idea of building up such a database. Well Michael, as you are more skilled and experienced in handling and building up web-sites than I am - I just have got a rough idea of the work it means - let's come to terms, please. So, what is needed? First of all a list of all items (which I could contribute to - it exists here). Then we need photos of all these (This is where I also could help). We need a place to collect these photos and someone to sort out the best ones for the database. Yes, and someone to present the database on the internet (I know it's not that simple). I just want to keep this idea moving. What do you all think of this?
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Post by Axe99 on Jan 8, 2006 11:05:44 GMT
G'day Theobald, Rather than starting from scratch, it might be worth building on what Mithrandir has over at... mmp.perilousrealm.com/Just a thought. Either way, a good idea
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Post by Gildor on Jan 9, 2006 14:21:01 GMT
many mithril pages already has a database indeed, just depends on what info you wanna get on each reference in the database.
As for the entries and references... some figurines made by Chris were prototypes or special figures never "referenced" so that's hard to reference them... and also, I dont know what effect could have a database that presents unique items only made once never sold/published/offered or given, which makes the M16 a common reference compared to them... Collectors (such as myself) would get crazy after the opportunity to get them which seems not possible (and can be very frustrating at times) and
(I think about such figurines as the ME prototypes, special Dwar figurine, Vingilot & Earendil vignette that Chris built and is mentionned in one of his interviews)
Well, I don't know what you think about that?
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Post by Axe99 on Jan 10, 2006 8:39:54 GMT
I hear ya when it comes to those uniques - but I figure at the rate I paint, if I don't get every last one it's not the end of the world! MMP has a page for uniques, although it's not set up like a database (and given that there aren't so many, this doesn't seem to be a bad thing). Do you think... mmp.perilousrealm.com/reference/uniques.phpDoes the job? As for what's already in the database, as you say, I guess it depends on what info you're looking for. Anyways, happy collecting! (And good luck chasing down that Vingilot and Earendil vignette )
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Post by Gildor on Jan 10, 2006 9:25:11 GMT
well there are more uniques than those mentionned in mmp (actually only the Saruman is not referenced) The Aragorn is the ME2 prototype (referenced as ME2 then) there are supposed to be 5 others (ME1 to 6), and the orcs are from the mw337 reference, which is also referenced... Reference number is an important thing for a database.
Mine is in Access 2000 but i could soon translate it into php, complete, missing pictures mostly because I dit not have the time (nor the material) to take pics of my own collection (which is complete... except for the rarest christmas figurines and prototypes) I have included in this database : -the whole M range (with an indexing problem for the M369 which has an index mistake because it is at the same time a dwarf and a dragon boxed set as MB369 -the whole LT, LR, LO ranges -the Christmas range (I miss pics for the 1988-1989, 1991 figures) -the ME prototype range, mentionned in tengwar 5 (I miss pics for the ME1,3,4,5,6) -uniques not indexed (including the Saruman on MMP, the Dwar of Waw mentionned to me by a private collectionner (no name given without authorization), and the Earendil & Vingilot vignette which is a figurine Chris Tubb made for himself and is absolutly unique) I have no pics of these ones indeed...
I am not aware of other uniques, but all info are welcome indeed
(all info on how to get them is also welcome lol)
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Post by Theobald on Jan 14, 2006 13:58:32 GMT
Well, this idea of a database wasn't mine. When I came in contact with Gildor I learned that he was working on this and I simply wanted to support this idea. This is why I started this thread. Just to keep things going. Of course Mithrandir so far did a brilliant job with MMP. I really don't see this as a "rival-attempt" to MMP. axe99, I do not favour the one or the other and I would be pleased if I can help both. All I want is to have access to a site which covers all Mithril productions, including those that were never released by Mithril. Mithrandir's page of "uniques" helped me a lot to find out which castings of the Mw 437 were ever made. Gildor seems to have some more information about other releases, I don't know. Well, why restrict a database to those miniatures that were released by Mithril? Of course a database of the old M-series is the basic idea. - Thanks to Henk here. He has finished this a long time ago (You can find the link on the official Mithril homepage). I think we should try to extend this database, as Mithrandir did, including those old Christmas figures and other castings that were never released. Then we shouldn't forget to include the new releases, though most of us can touch them with our hands. So, why create a database in which something is missing? I wouldn't buy an encyclopaedia in which words are missing. - Someone wrote that he wouldn't like to see things he could never achieve, well it's the same with my encyclopaedia. It defines words, like "millionaire" and I'm not. But I wouldn't like to miss the definition in an accurate list of words. Sorry, this text might be a bit too long ... but I think I had to explain my intention of this thread. Dieter.
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Post by Gildor on Jan 15, 2006 0:53:42 GMT
i suppose this gives me an idea of fields to fill in the database!! the "availability degree" of each figurine could be a field such as : "limited, regular, discontinued, rare, prototype, unique" etc actually I am still waiting to have pics of rares I dont have to put them in database. I asked Chris Tubb about this project, he said he would try to take pics from his private collection for me when he has time (actually, if someone has all the figurines ever made, that's him)
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Post by Theobald on Jan 15, 2006 14:37:47 GMT
Yes, Gildor ... I think this is a very good idea for a classification of the miniatures. On the one hand it informs about availability and "classification" in terms of rareness and on the other it might once cover a complete list.
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Post by Axe99 on Jan 15, 2006 20:32:22 GMT
Nice one guys - sorry, I wasn't trying to sound defensive (MMP's not my site after all, so being defensive would be a bit strange!) - more a 'if you all pooled your resources it might save time/energy' - for instance, Zoetrop has a spreadsheet with some measure of rareness on ebay of the regular M-series (and maybe a few others). Either way, I appreciate the work you guys do .
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Post by Gildor on Mar 4, 2006 23:51:40 GMT
I have begun rebuilding my Database in MySQL and built up some of the material necessary for the images . In the end here are the fields I will keep for the database I am planning. Tell me if you see anything else that could be useful : - Reference Number - Name - Series - Type (single, multiple, single mounted, boxed set, dragons, vignette, warband, etc. ) - Year (of release) - Rarity (common, uncommon, rare (such as M1), very rare (such as M82,M99), extremly rare (such as M16,M7) and "unfindable"(such as mw346-7, early christmas figurines, or unreferenced Prototypes) - Availability (limited, in production, fellowship only, discontinued, prototype, unique... which mostly explains the rarity above) - Official Image (the main image for the figurine page) - Galleries (if any exists from contributors, for a given figurine) - Description (both of the figurine and/or character in Tolkien/MERP universe) - Parts (Number of parts and their description... Now that's the hard work for me... but since I have the complete M collection with all the small and tiny parts (such as the M4 quiver and bow) I should be able to do it) - Race (of the figurines represented) Well, that makes a lot of work to do... any help with PHP MySQL is welcome as I am quite new in this domain... Hopefully the SQL base is built, the Search engine is half operationnal too... I just need help for the "Filling" Form... and "Display page" but in a month or two that should begin to be fully operationnal. For info, this database is in no way in concurence with MMP ! The objective is not the same at all. There will be no community, no forum, or trading or even Price indications in this base, it is purely as Informative as possible, and artistic. Please Give me your comments and ideas on the matter as they are more than welcome
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Post by Theobald on Mar 5, 2006 9:33:29 GMT
Hi Gildor, of course I still support your idea. Just let me know in which way I can be of any help.
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Post by twrich on Mar 5, 2006 18:47:09 GMT
Hi Gildor, Theobald, and Axe99--and all other interested members.
For myself, I feel that the more websites out there for us collectors the better. The MMP site has a wealth of info, and I use it regularly. I also have compiled a database of all regular Mithril release in an Excel spreadsheet. It is purely informational, and not part of any website, but rather something I use to manage my collection and help with my role-playing adventures. The part that I'm finishing up now, and have told Chris I will send to him soon, are the LT series, updating the new M releases, and adding any of the unreleased items that I am aware of. I am focusing on 32mm miniatures. Any additional information on these unreleased Mithrils would be greatly appreciated, and I would include them in my database. Please let me know how to access your websites. I can be reached at: twrich@mn.rr.com Please use "Mithril" in the subject line as I have a spam blocker that will allow any reference to Mithril through.
Mithril originally produced many of the M series pieces specifically for role-playing with MERP, and as such several are based upon references in the ICE publications. Along with serial numbers, name, race, gender, and culture, professions (ranger, scout, etc...) are very important in roleplaying, and my database attempts to define these using the MERP materials. Should anyone care to have this information (or anything related to MERP roleplaying with Mithrils) for their projects, I would be happy to share it if I am able.
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Post by Gildor on Mar 5, 2006 19:59:10 GMT
Hi Twrich, well the gender idea is cool! and actually the culture too! I had thought about it but could not find how to handle it , actually I shoud have the race , for example "Man", and Culture (or subrace) : Rohirim, Dunadan, Haradrim, Southron, Easterling etc... The same for profession but I have never worked on the profession aspect I could be interested in these info actually!! My database though is not oriented towards trading, nor is it for MERP roleplaying (as I am not a merp player and I don't really like it anyway) but any info on character names appearing in Mithril range that do not come from Tolkien but from ICE, I am interested to know (for example Tolwen, Karagat, Akargin... or other references mainly below M100) You can join me at gildor@wanadoo.fr and we can share info on these databases
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Post by agodet on Mar 8, 2006 15:20:38 GMT
Hi, If you’re interested, I’ve made a web-site like www.mithril59.com with almost all the M-LT series -> pictures and parts of figures. Sorry, not all the figures are in my web-site and, maybe, there are some mistakes. By Arnaud
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Post by Gildor on Mar 8, 2006 17:43:41 GMT
I know your web site Arnaud but I had forgotten the fact you had put the parts!! now that will be helpful! Actually I know you too I bought you some figurines and was in contact with you quite some years ago maybe you don't remember me btw, I discovered some dreamweaver magic PHP MySQL tools and the website database takes form at speedlight, in three weeks it may be viewable
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Post by agodet on Mar 9, 2006 11:40:59 GMT
Hi Gildor,
I've only started to put the differents parts about one year ago.
Please contact me when the database will be available.
I often sell Mithril's and Asterix's figures, then, a lot of persons but I’ve well remember that I’ve sent some minis to Montpellier or in the Montpellier’s suburds. ;-)
If someone have the shield or the spear of the M7, I search them. And I’m searching for a picture of the M7 in 3 parts (body, spear and shield) to add in my web-site.
By
Arnaud
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Post by Gildor on Mar 10, 2006 11:03:54 GMT
I added the fields "Scale" and "collection" to the database I have a question about scale : the official size of regular mithril is 28 or 32mm ? I never manage to know.... as for Collection, could someone tell me what the "LT", "LR" and "LO" and "ME" letters stand for? the "referenced" collections so far are : 'M', 'LT', 'LR', 'LO', 'Christmas', and 'ME'. Prototypes either belong to the ME range if they went through some bits of referencing system (that's the case for 6 references) or they do not belong to any collection in particular (for most of the cases) the MS, MV, MW, MB and MX are all sub-categories referenced in the "type" field of "M" (regular) . MC and MCD are apart for "M" (classics)
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Post by Hammershield on Mar 13, 2006 13:43:31 GMT
I have a question about scale : the official size of regular mithril is 28 or 32mm ?
Its 32mm. Chris Tubb made a statement about it in Other Hands (I believe) a few years back. He said something like "they came out just right" in that size.
My guess is that the short names are not really short names any longer, they just signifiy how different ranges have been marketed.
"LR" are the limited edition (2500 pieces), boxed, no-primed, often multi-piece. They were supposed to be the 32mm equivalent of other companies marketing strategies of 54mm minis (or at least so the production notes said).
"LT" was the serie that followed "LR" and wa all a step back to a more simplified range; fewer parts, still unprimed. The series started when the TTT movie was about to be released and the miniatures were all taken from the Helms Deep chapters.
"LO" is as you know the new 54mm series, and differes from the previous in that they were not Chrismas or Fellowship Specials and they were not primed.
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Post by Gildor on Mar 13, 2006 15:10:27 GMT
thanks for the info about the scale hammershield as for range descriptions thanks for the info. Actually I was searching a little explanation in a word or two for the fields of the range. For example : 'M' (Regular 32mm) (I won't create special ranges field for MV, MW, MB, MS, MX as the counting is all included in the M range) 'MC' (Re-edition 32mm) 'MCD' (Double-Pack Re-edition 32mm) 'LR' (Limited 32mm) 'LO' (Regular 54mm) 'MA' (Fellowship 54mm) 'ME' (Prototype 54mm) Now the problem stands for the LT range which was supposed to become the new regular but was abandonned to come back to M range, which is better indeed. Should I call it : 'LT' ('Helm's Deep 32mm') since it was only dedicated to Helm's Deep before it was abandonned?
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Post by twrich on Mar 29, 2006 8:15:39 GMT
Gildor and Theobald, how are your websites progressing?
Hammershield, I think you are correct.
Arnaud, There are images available to complete your website.
Easy for me, I'm just creating MERP spreadsheets!
--twrich
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Post by Gildor on Mar 30, 2006 12:58:24 GMT
the coding is advancing well, I have begun to draw the buttons, got the background and finalized the title image... I hope I'll have a demo version in a week or so... but family and personnal affairs keep me away from my mithril hobbies at the moment alas
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Post by Hammershield on Apr 4, 2006 9:42:15 GMT
"Should I call it : 'LT' ('Helm's Deep 32mm') since it was only dedicated to Helm's Deep before it was abandonned?"
I think you should. It is simple and in line with how they were marketed. I do not know, but I do not think, Mithril had the intention to market them as as a step back towards the M's.
When working with "buttonology" like this I think it is best to keep close to the intentions and actions of the source.
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Post by casey on Apr 7, 2006 4:20:27 GMT
Wow I am so glad I joined this site and I hope your database is available soon it will help me out so much.
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Post by twrich on May 7, 2006 8:22:08 GMT
Hi Gildor,
How is your databases going? Are there websites we should know about?
--twrich
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Post by Theobald on May 9, 2006 11:36:21 GMT
Hi Gildor, I just want to stress twrich's question ... how is it going? I am really curious about the database ... but take your time, please, as we don't want to hurry huoooomhom
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Post by Gildor on Oct 30, 2006 17:49:20 GMT
Though I have been obliged to put this project on standby for quite some time now, I wanted to let everybody know that I am up on it again... Soon all the static part of the website should be online, and the database engine is almost ready. I will then only need to fill (or import) the database with all the data I have from my ACCESS database into SQL. to sum up... the project is advancing well, and in less than a week, the site will at last become visible.
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Post by Theobald on Oct 31, 2006 13:13:14 GMT
I'm really looking forward to having a look at the completed site. I'm sure everybody who is interested in it will be absolutely satisfied. Gildor, you should have added the information, that it is not "only" a database - there's more
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Post by Gildor on Nov 2, 2006 15:57:46 GMT
Well there is more, but for the moment I can't publish it, I am waiting for Chris Tubb aknowledgment... But if he validates it, there will indeed be some pics of him along with a very long interview. (there are also links, and a little presentation of myself) but this is only to make some "decoration" around the main interest : the database By the way, (though I can't put it online for everybody to see at the moment), the Search engine is now complete, though not active until the "reference display" is as "cute" as I want it there will be three search methods: manual, complete listing, and advanced research (with all the fields I have mentionned in my former posts)
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Post by twrich on Nov 10, 2006 3:28:54 GMT
Gildor, have you included gender, race, culture and profession in your database? If you are interested, I can provide an updated version of the last spreadsheet I sent you with this info for all Mithril 32mm pieces.
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Post by Gildor on Nov 10, 2006 14:33:34 GMT
Yes Twrich I have included them ALL(though I wrote 'ethnic group' instead of culture but that is the same) I am MORE THAN intested in your updated version!!!
As a matter of fact, I have completly achieved the administration module (which allows to insert , edit, delete references, and as many images as you want (with online php edition without the need of FTP) The search engine is fully finished, the static part of the website is finished... All that remains to be done is the "reference displaying" page... with the rollover for pictures and... filling the database , lol
I am waiting for Chris Tubb aknowledgment in order to put the website publicaly online (in its current, quite advanced state) and I will communicate the URL here (and on MMP) and reference it on google and as many web search engines I can
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